A grand jury in the US has indicted an American captured in Afghanistan on ten charges, alleging he was trained by Osama bin Laden's network and then conspired with the Taliban to kill Americans.

A grand jury in the US has indicted an American captured in Afghanistan on ten charges, alleging he was trained by Osama bin Laden's network and then conspired with the Taliban to kill Americans.

The indictment also accused John Walker Lindh of conspiring to provide support to terrorist organisations, including al Qaida, supplying services to the Taliban, and possessing weapons during violent crimes. He could face several life prison terms if convicted.

At a news conference yesterday, US Attorney General John Ashcroft said: "Americans who love their country do not dedicate themselves to killing Americans."

The indictment said that in May or June last year, Lindh agreed to attend an al Qaida training camp "knowing that America and its citizens were the enemies of bin Laden and al Qaida and that a principal purpose of al Qaida was to fight and kill Americans".

After the September 11 terrorist attacks, the indictment said, Lindh remained with his fighting group.

Mr Ashcroft denied claims by Lindh's lawyers that his confessions were improperly obtained and that his civil rights had been violated.

Earlier, lawyers for Lindh asked that he be released pending trial. A hearing is due on Wednesday on the government's bid to continue holding Lindh without bail.